Exclusive: Moxon escapes deserved red in ‘nasty’ Stockport incident v Leyton Orient
Owen Moxon was lucky to still be on the pitch following a first-half challenge in Stockport County’s play-off clash with Leyton Orient, according to Keith Hackett.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider referee James Bell should have shown a red card following an act of “serious foul play” on Thursday, 14 May.
Emotions were clearly high at Edgeley Park as Oliver O’Neill scored after just three minutes to give Orient a 3-2 lead on aggregate, with the two sides drawing the first leg of the League One semi-final play-offs.
With the game eventually going to extra time and penalties, Orient were the victors on a dramatic night in the League One play-offs.
During the first leg, Hackett was deeply unhappy with the officiating for Charlie Kelman’s highly contentious opening goal, with the striker adjudged to have been offside in the build-up.
Owen Moxon escapes as referees miss another mistake
Moxon appeared to make a studs-up challenge on Orient’s Sean Clare on the 21-minute mark, but despite a delay in play for the injured player, the 27-year-old avoided punishment.
Speaking live on Sky Sports Main Event (14 May, 8:24pm), Lee Hendrie said: “I think he does catch him straight down the… Ooh, it’s a nasty one by the way, that is. That’s late, very, very fortunate.
“I mean, it’s quick, that’s why the referee probably doesn’t see. I tell you what, that’s a naughty challenge. Lucky boy.”
Keith Hackett wanted red in Stockport County v Leyton Orient
With yellow cards handed out to Jamie Donley and Ibou Touray in the first 45 minutes, some were surprised that Moxon was not given the same treatment for his challenge.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider about Moxon’s reckless challenge, the former referee said:
“For Stockport, Moxon was rather fortunate that referee James Bell didn’t show him a yellow card for his foul. Replays showed that the challenge was an act of serious foul play.
“Moxon’s late challenge showed a raised boot, studs showing, landing with force on his opponent’s leg. It should have been a dismissal.
| Stockport County’s 1st half | Leyton Orient’s 1st half |
| 53% possession | 47% possession |
| 8 shots (2 on target) | 6 shots (2 on target) |
| 1 big chance | 2 big chances |
| 8 fouls committed | 5 fouls committed |
| 3 corners | 2 corners |
“The referee, in fairness, has one view of the incident, and from his angle, he may not have seen the contact with the face of the boot. Moxon is very fortunate that VAR is not in operation.”
Leyton Orient will go on to face either Wycombe Wanderers or Charlton Athletic in the final, with a spot at Wembley Stadium awaiting on Sunday, 25 May.